The bill, unanimously passed by the House Energy and Commerce Committee on July 31 [see Washington Highlights, Aug. 2], would repeal the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula and move the Medicare physician payment system towards an enhanced fee-for-service model with payments linked to quality and innovation.

The Senate Finance and House Ways and Means committees are both working on their own SGR repeal proposals, which are expected later this Fall. Should Congress fail to act, physician Medicare payments will be cut approximately 24 percent on Jan. 1, 2014.